Armenian politician says Iran conflict offers lesson and opportunity

The joint United States and Israeli strikes on Iran have underscored the importance of international security guarantees for Armenia, according to Narek Karapetyan, a senior member of the Strong Armenia party.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Karapetyan said the latest developments in Iran highlight the risks of relying solely on bilateral agreements without external guarantors. “Iran has had numerous deals with the West, but without guarantors it now faces regional countries and global powers alone,” he said. “Peace cannot be achieved only through agreements. Armenia needs more than one guarantor to ensure that no country can sideline our interests. With two or more guarantors, we can secure long-term peace.”

Karapetyan warned that the conflict will weaken Iran’s industrial base. “Iran’s industrial potential will decline, and it will become more of a raw-material exporter,” he said. He argued that this shift could benefit Armenia, positioning Iran as a source of affordable raw materials. “As a friendly country, Iran can supply Armenia with raw materials, helping us advance our future economic programs,” he noted.